"I said it before, before I sign contract, if the league decide to cut our salaries and cut our contracts for what they want, I don't know how many guys will be coming back," Ovechkin said on conference call with The Washington Times and Washington Post on Wednesday.

"We signed contracts before and why they have to cut our salaries and our contracts right now? They sign us. [Now they] want to cut it, I think it's a stupid idea and a stupid decision by the NHL, [commissioner Gary] Bettman and the guys who work there."

A few reactions:

• While I'm sure his comments are hyperbole, let's take them at face for a second. I find it impossible to reconcile the NHLPA's message of "the people that suffer the most are the fans" (S. Crosby, 2012) and "they're the ones that suffer from [a lockout] (J. Reimer, 2012) with Ovechkin pondering if he'd turn his back on those very fans if his $9 million base salary is reduced under a new CBA.

At this point in the lockout, it's completely counterproductive to the NHLPA's messaging.

• Why This Is An Empty Threat, Part I: The KHL shouldn't, in theory, allow it. As Pierre LeBrun noted:

KHL and NHL have a memo of understanding respecting each league's player contracts. So in theory, Ovechkin would not be allowed to stay and play in KHL post an NHL lockout. Then again, it's the KHL. So you never know.